One of my friends from France, put me few questions about the presidential elections in Ukraine, and I decided to publish my answers here. I think it’ll be interesting for a lot of people.

1. “This result is a final one, or there will be a second tour?” – February 7, the second tour of elections was held. But they can’t announce a winner now, because Julia Tymochenko will protest the results of elections in the court. So, we’ll know official final results after the court decision.

2. “Is Ukraine politically and economically up to date?” – I think, I didn’t understand this question well, but anyways, I answer you. So, politically Ukraine has more democracy than most Eastern European countries. And it is confirmed by leaders of the United States of America, the European Union, and the rest of the democratic world. Our standards are high. About the economy, so, in 2005 Ukraine has received the status of a country with market economy. In 2008, Ukraine joined the WTO (World Trade Organization). Otherwise, most countries of the former USSR are not WTO members, including Russia. Our banking sector isn’t so developed than in France, but the credit cards are in a big use by the people of Ukraine. It is rare to find a coffee or shop where they do not accept credit cards. Otherwise, everything is like everywhere. Some services are better developed in France, some in Ukraine.

3. “How do you think, is this a good or bad thing (the election results) for the country?” – I think, it’s the shame about such a result for Ukrainian people. A person, I mean Victor Yanukovych, he’s stupid. He makes no difference between Montenegro and Kosovo on one side, and South Ossetia and Abkhazia on the other side. I think, it’s a big waste of time. But I think he will not be the president all these 5 years. Because, it’s obvious, he is a bad candidate. Before the election his political party has propagated the idea of increasing social standards. But on wednesday, in the Ukrainian Parliament (Verkhovna Rada) his party has given only 2 votes for their bill. So we can see, he doesn’t fulfill his electoral promise. But as the people of Ukraine in the East in general are ill-bred, are not very informed, and the poverty there, so they cannot properly evaluate their candidate.

4. “Does such situation can change something in everyday life for the people?” – No risk. It will not change. Since he was already 2 times a premier-minister, and he made no reform. Ukraine president has less power than premier-minister, so I make a conclusion, he’ll throw in the air his mandate. But it’s for the better.

5. “And compared with Europe, how do you think the things change?” – In my opinion, the sole thing will be changed, foreigners couldn’t come to Ukraine without visas. But the Ukrainian Parliament has already started this process before the elections. And it’s just, because there is no Ukrainian who can come to the EU without a visa.

6. “From what I read, do you not fear a “rapprochement” with Russia and a return to few years you have lived before the Orange Revolution?” – I do not think the “rapprochement” with Russia will be strong, as already economically we can’t be with Russia, because we are a member of the WTO, and they are not there. Also, this year, Ukraine will sign 2 agreements with the EU on political association and the free trade area. So, there’s no chance for Russia to have something common with us. About returning to “inglorious years,” I answer you, it is impossible to change the democratic regime to something like in Russia, because Russian and Ukrainian people are different, Russians prefer to have a czar and Ukrainian prefer to have freedom, it’s historically. Otherwise, what can I say, and it’s not only my opinion, because I share it with many European and American experts, that our removal from the EU is caused by your policy, which would not provide us with all political and economic assistance, but above all political! So, the EU has done nothing to bring us closer, however, the EU has done everything to get closer with Russia (authoritarian state), at the same time abandoning Ukraine (democracy). So, in my opinion, the EU is guilty for 80% and 20% for Ukraine. Including matters of visas, diplomatic and political assistance against Russia (especially against its imperialist appetites), and economic aid during the crisis.

There are a lot of articles in foreign press that the first round of elections showed, that democracy in Ukraine has died, and that the Yanukovych will certainly become a president.
But it’s not like this. Yanukovych won with 32.35% of votes, Tymoshenko had only 25.05%. But it was only the first round of elections. People voted for other democratic candidates, that’s why she couldn’t get a majority of votes. And Yanukovych is the only strong pro-Russian candidate. This gave him so many votes.
Conclusions: I think Tymochenko will be a president, as most people who voted for other democratic candidates would prefer Tymoshenko. So I think the second round of elections will end by Tymochenko’s victory with 45% of votes, and Yanukovych will get 38%.

Today, 14/11/2009 was the last day of candidate’s registration for ongoing presidency of Ukraine. As of today their total amount is 18.
Following this link http://www.cvk.gov.ua/pls/vp2010/WP0011 you can see all the candidatures at the Central Election Commission of Ukraine in detail.
The most interesting candidates, in my opinion, are – Anatoliy Hrytsenko, Volodymyr Lytvyn, Olexander Moroz, Yulia Tymoshenko, Viktor Yanukovych, Arseniy Yatsenyuk.
It should be noted that the main shout of this elections is “I’m going to save Ukraine”. However it is curious, why save? It looks like as if all candidatures went crazy.
Let’s start from Viktor Yanukovych. Stable, pro-Russian candidate. He is in favor of granting Russian language the status of second official, and because in favor of improving relations with Russia. Grants his fully support to Russia on the international arena. But it should be noted that his government signed directive in 2003 where it was clearly stated Ukraine’s prospective membership in NATO.
Anatoliy Hrytsenko. “A dark horse”. He is famous as an ex-Minister of Defense. According to his speeches, he supports Ukraine’s integration into the Euro-Atlantic structures.
Volodymyr Lytvyn. We can say “permanent speaker of the Verkhovna Rada (Parliament) of Ukraine”. Most of his political career, he held a seat as the speaker. In my opinion he spent a lot of time in the power structures. It’s the high time to go on a pension.
Olexander Moroz. The leader of the Social Party of Ukraine. He is famous for his   betrayal of the democratic coalition in 2007 by leaving to the pro-Russian coalition. And that’s why, in my opinion, he is not exactly suits for the presidency. A retirement is required.
Yulia Tymoshenko. Everybody is familiar with the Prime Minister of Ukraine. Her behavior is an expressed complex of “Joan of Arc.” And she does not clearly express foreign-policy views.
Arseniy Yatsenyuk. Former Minister of Foreign Affairs of Ukraine and the Parliament speaker. All the time he’ve been sticking to a pro-Western policy. But now all his comments are less opened if it goes about the foreign policy of Ukraine. Although his relationship with the Council on Foreign Relations is a confirmation of his pro-Western position.
In general, analysts believe that the struggle for the presidency will be between Yulia Tymoshenko and Viktor Yanukovych.
Anyway we’ll see this later. It is up to us to make the right choice!